Over the past few years, A24 has dominated the film industry with dozens of independent features that each present their own unique appeal. A24 is an independent film company that has become more prevalent with each succeeding year. Just last year, films like Ex Machina and Room received an incredible amount of Academy Award attention. This year, they've already conjured worldwide conversations with their largest slate yet including films such as Swiss Army Man and Green Room. What's special about films released under the A24 label is that they all represent innovation and change.
Their latest film directed by Barry Jenkins, known as Moonlight, is no exception to innovation and change. Moonlight takes audiences through the daily internal and external struggles of Chiron in three specific times of his life. At the core of these struggles, lies a conflict of individualism that constantly challenges Chiron as he grows up in difficult circumstances. Without spoiling the plot elements that propel the film, our main protagonist is learning about his sexual orientation while living in the projects of Miami. The story isn't structured as a fictional novel but more so as a window inside the everyday life of one person over the course of ten to fifteen years. Often in filmmaking, it is taught that films should not accurately represent everyday life because that would be monotonous and boring. However, Moonlight finds a way to make the nuances of everyday life feel compelling for its viewers.
Each actor in Moonlight performs their role as if they were people one would encounter in real life. Every character is as identifiable as they are relatable with their emotions as well as their connection to the environment that surrounds them, thanks to the performances and direction by Barry Jenkins. The most impressive performances derive from the three primary actors who portray Chiron. Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and Trevante Rhodes succeed each other beautifully because you can truly see the pain of their past within all three performances. Mahershala Ali also plays a mentoring role that doesn't seem special at first glance, but ultimately leaves a profound impact by the time the film is over. And Naomie Harris plays Chiron's mother with a fierce aggression that disguises an underlying layer of sincere love.
There is nothing bombastic or obnoxious about Moonlight but there is an incredible sense of subtlety that goes quite a long way. It's strange that there has never been an independent film that tackles this particular subject matter. But the issues that emerge from the subject matter are brutal and honest, then the moments of discovery and resolution feel genuinely powerful in a beautiful way. By the film's end, a perspective of life that many people may have never really thought about is learned and that's something not many films these days tend to do.
Moonlight is a thought provoking piece that is very important and relevant to the times we are living in today. Everything from a filmmaking standpoint is what one would expect from an adept cast and crew, but there's much more to the story that'll leave audiences emotionally paralyzed. If it's playing in theaters in your area, I implore you all to see it as soon as possible. Experiences created from films like this one are very rare and chances are you won't forget this one anytime soon.
